SENIOR CITIZENS OF PATAGONIA, INC.
Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Inc. does not tolerate sexual abuse or misconduct in the workplace or during any organization-related activity. Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Inc. provides procedures for employees, volunteers, Board members or any victims of sexual abuse or misconduct to report such acts. Those reasonably suspected or believed to have committed sexual abuse or misconduct will be appropriately disciplined, up to and including termination of employment or membership, as well as criminally prosecuted.
Senior Citizens of Patagonia recognizes that individuals who are seniors or have disabilities are at higher risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, approximately 30 percent of individuals with disabilities have experienced some form of mistreatment. The National Council on Aging estimates that one in 10 Americans who are 60 years or older experienced some form of abuse.
Sexual abuse or misconduct may include, but is not limited to:
- Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.
- Coercing a vulnerable person to witness sexual behaviors.
- Sexual activity with another who is legally incompetent or otherwise unable to give consent.
- Physical assaults or violence, such as rape, sexual battery, abuse, molestation, or any attempt to commit such acts.
- Unwanted and intentional physical conduct that is sexual in nature.
- Material such as pornographic or sexually explicit images, posters, calendars, or objects.
- Unwelcome and inappropriate sexual activities.
- An environment that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive atmosphere.
Physical Abuse or misconduct may include:
- Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable person.
- Depriving them of a basic need.
Emotional Abuse or misconduct may include:
- Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on a vulnerable person through verbal or nonverbal acts.
Exploitation or misconduct may include:
- Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable person.
- Identity theft is also considered a form of exploitation.
Neglect or misconduct may include:
- Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable person.
Abandonment or misconduct may include:
- The desertion of a vulnerable person by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.
Abusers can be anyone: a family member, a friend, a stranger, a service provider, or a neighbor. It is important, therefore, to be informed and on the lookout for the warning signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Warning signs of abuse include:
- Changes in behavior (for example, refusing to go places or see people they typically like to go or see).
- Changes in emotional states (for example, the person is more withdrawn, nervous, fearful, sad or anxious).
- Unexplained cuts, bruises or bleeding.
- Broken bones or burns.
- Overmedication.
- Isolation.
Warning signs of neglect include:
- Dehydration or malnourishment.
- Poor hygiene (for example, dirty hair, skin, clothing) or strong body odor.
- Lack of food and other amenities in the home.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Pressure sores.
- Unpaid bills.
- Lack of proper medical care or treatment.
- Animal or insect infestation in the home.
Warning signs of exploitation include:
- Withdrawals of significant amounts of cash from banks unexplained or in the presence of others.
- Forged checks.
- Unexplained/unknown credit card or other charges.
- Unpaid bills.
- Limited or no access information about finances.
- Unknown/unfamiliar creditors, such as credit card companies.
- Reliance on caregivers who have a history of substance abuse or other mental health issues.
- Significant dependency for care or assistance on caregivers or others who do not have much prior history with the individual.
- Multiple phone or in-person requests for money;
- Solicitations for money for goods and services.
If you suspect that a person may be experiencing abuse, exploitation, or neglect:
- Listen, affirm, and reassure the person that it is never his or her fault and that this is nothing to be embarrassed about.
- Abuse, neglect, and exploitation can happen to anyone. We can more effectively prevent and address abuse by educating ourselves and others, and by building a stronger community of support to promote the health, well-being and independence of the seniors and individuals with disabilities whom we serve.
Reporting Procedure
It is the purpose and intent of Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Inc. to provide a safe, secure environment for all members and for those serviced by our organization.
Anyone who learns of sexual abuse or misconduct being committed upon those associated with or serviced by Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Inc. must immediately report it to two (or more) members of the Board of Directors.
Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Inc. will consult with its legal counsel to determine state, federal or other jurisdictional requirements to report suspicions or allegations of sexual or physical abuse or neglect. It will also notify its insurance carrier to seek advice in handling the matter.
Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Inc. is committed to following the state and federal legal requirements for reporting allegations or incidents of sexual abuse or misconduct to appropriate law enforcement and Adult Protective Services Agency.
Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Inc. prohibits retaliation made against any employee, volunteer, Board member, or other person who lodges a good faith complaint of sexual abuse or misconduct.
Investigation and Follow-up
Senior Citizens of Patagonia Inc. will provide information to abuse victims to obtain assistance and counseling options.
Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Inc. will cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by law enforcement or other regulatory/protective services agencies and will make every effort to keep the matters involved in the allegation as confidential as possible.
Any employee, Board member or volunteer who is suspected of, or reported as, engaging in inappropriate sexual activity, misconduct, or relationships with a service recipient, will be immediately suspended, pending the outcome of an investigation into the allegations of abuse.
Employee and Board Member Screening and Selection
As part of its sexual abuse and misconduct prevention program, Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Inc. is committed to maintaining a diligent screening program for prospective and existing employees, volunteers, Board members and others that may have interaction with those serviced by our organization.
Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Inc. may utilize a variety of methods of screening and selection, including applications, personal interviews, criminal background checks and personal and professional references.
All full-time employees and Board members will receive a criminal background check and a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
SENIOR CITIZENS OF PATAGONIA, INC. 